From
A History of Coleman County and Its People, 1985 edited
by Judia and Ralph Terry, and Vena Bob Gates - used by permission--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Ralph James Hayes family moved to Coleman in September 1949 - Ralph
James (Jim), Colleen, two sons and Mrs. Dora Jones, Colleen’s mother.
Jim was born August 12, 1919 in Ashland, Kentucky, the only son of Joseph
H. and Ella Grayman Hayes. Joseph H. was the son of James F. and
Florence Patton Hayes of Ironton, Ohio. Ella was the daughter of
John and Jeanette Grayman of Lawrence County, Ohio. Ethel Colleen
Hayes was born on October 23, 1925, the only girl of five children, to
James Luther and Dora G. Simons Jones, in Pear Valley. The parents
of James Luther were William Savage and Mattie (Jones) Jones. Cora
G. Simons was the daughter of L. D. and Isabella Powell Simons of McLennan
County.

After graduating from high school in Ashland, Kentucky in 1937, Jim
entered the military service in 1941 at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio.
His first assignment was in Randolph Field, Texas then he was transferred
to Concho Air Base in San Angelo. The Jones family had moved from
McCulloch County to San Angelo, in the late 1930’s so this was the setting
for the Kentuckian and Texan to meet. After only a three month courtship,
Ralph James and Ethel Colleen Jones were married on December 17, 1942 in
San Angelo. Jim trained at Scott Field, Illinois, Hondo Air Base,
Langley Field, Virginia, then in the Pacific until being returned to the
United States and discharged in 1945 at Camp Fannin, Texas. Michael
James was born in San Angelo, September 15, 1943 and Phillip Brian was
born there on February 3,1945.

The little family, along with Mrs. Jones, moved to Ashland, Kentucky
for about three years, before moving back to Texas. Three girls were
born after the move to Coleman: Cheryl Elaine (July 22, 1950), Cebia Colleen
(September 2, 1955) and Jenny Chris (November 17, 1958).

Colleen’s mother, Mrs. Jones, owned and operated a fabric store in Coleman
for a few years, later selling it to Faye Sackett. She then began
sewing in her home and doing alterations for Anthony’s. She died
in 1969 and was buried beside her husband in Fairmount Cemetery, San Angelo.

After the move to Coleman, Jim worked for N. W. Purcell for nine years
as accountant and bookkeeper. He operated a bookkeeping business
for himself for several years before going to work for the U.S. Postal
service from which he retired in October 1981. Since that time he
has been employed by Henderson Funeral Home. Colleen started to work
for J. C. Penney Company in 1959 and worked there until the store closed
in Coleman, October 1970. Shortly thereafter, she began work as a
deputy clerk in the Coleman County Clerk’s office and continues at this
time. All members of the Hayes family have been active in the Coleman
Church of Christ. Jim has been active in various civic organizations.

Michael James married Rebecca Ann Deere of Brownwood May 29, 1964 and
they have two daughters: Mary Colleen and Cherrie Ann. The family
presently lives in Corpus Christi.

Phillip Brian married Shirley Kay Cope of Coleman on December 3, 1965.
They have a daughter, Lesa Michelle, and a son, Michael Brian. They
presently live in Itasca (see Virgil V. Cope).

Cheryl Elaine married Gene Turney (see Moses Turney) of Coleman June
28, 1968 and at present time they live in Burnet. They have three
children, Justin Kane, Stephanie Brooke and James Stephenson.